Database Design Document

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Database Design Document

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Confidential – ©2015 Documentation Consultants
All rights reserved. These materials are for internal use only. No part of these materials may be
reproduced, published in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy or any
information storage or retrieval system, nor may the materials be disclosed to third parties without the written
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Table of Contents

1 Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 5
1.1 Document Objectives .................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Intended Audience ........................................................................................................................ 5
1.3 Acronyms and Abbreviations ........................................................................................................ 5
1.4 Key Personnel .............................................................................................................................. 6
1.5 Data Owners ................................................................................................................................. 6
2 Assumptions, Constraints and Dependencies ........................................................................... 6
2.1 Assumptions ................................................................................................................................. 6
2.2 Constraints ................................................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Dependencies ............................................................................................................................... 6
3 System Overview ........................................................................................................................... 7
3.1 Database Management System Configuration .............................................................................. 7
3.2 Database Software Utilities ........................................................................................................... 7
3.3 Support Software .......................................................................................................................... 7
4 Architecture ................................................................................................................................... 8
4.1 Hardware Architecture .................................................................................................................. 8
4.2 Software Architecture.................................................................................................................... 8
4.3 Datastores .................................................................................................................................... 8
5 Database-Wide Design Decisions ................................................................................................ 8
5.1 Interfaces ...................................................................................................................................... 8
5.2 Key Factors Influencing Design .................................................................................................... 8
5.3 Behavior ....................................................................................................................................... 8
5.4 DBMS Platform ............................................................................................................................. 8
5.5 Security and Availability ................................................................................................................ 9
5.6 Distribution.................................................................................................................................... 9
5.7 Backup and Restore Operations ................................................................................................... 9
5.8 Maintenance ................................................................................................................................. 9
5.9 Performance and Availability Decisions ........................................................................................ 9
6 Database Administrative Functions ............................................................................................. 9
6.1 Responsibility ............................................................................................................................... 9
6.2 Database Identification ............................................................................................................... 10
6.3 Application / Systems Using the Database.................................................................................. 10
6.4 Relationship to Other Databases ................................................................................................ 10
6.5 Schema Information .................................................................................................................... 10
6.6 Schema Desciption ..................................................................................................................... 11
6.7 Physical Design .......................................................................................................................... 11
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6.8 Physical Structure ....................................................................................................................... 11

6.9 Entity Mapping ............................................................................................................................ 11
6.10 Mapping Rules ............................................................................................................................ 11
6.11 Operational Implications ............................................................................................................. 11
6.12 Data Transfer Requirements ....................................................................................................... 11
6.13 Data Formats .............................................................................................................................. 11
6.14 Business Rules ........................................................................................................................... 12
6.15 Storage ....................................................................................................................................... 12
6.16 Backup and Recovery ................................................................................................................. 12
7 Detailed Database Design ........................................................................................................... 12
7.1 Data Software Objects and Resultant Data Structures ................................................................ 12
7.2 Database Management System Files ......................................................................................... 13
8 Reporting Requirements ............................................................................................................. 13
9 Appendix ...................................................................................................................................... 13

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Note: Text displayed in blue italics is included to provide guidance to the author and should be
deleted before publishing the document. In any table, select and delete any blue line text; then
click HomeStyles and select “Table Text” to restore the cells to the default value.

1 Purpose

The Database Design Document maps the logical data model to the target database management
system with consideration to the system’s performance requirements. The Database Design converts
logical or conceptual data constructs to physical storage constructs (e.g., tables, files) of the target
Database Management System (DBMS).

1.1 Document Objectives

The Database Design Document has the following objectives:
 To describe the design of a database, that is, a collection of related data stored in one or more
computerized files that can be accessed by users or computer developers via a DBMS.
 To serve as a basis for implementing the database and related software units. It provides the
acquirer visibility into the design and provides information necessary for software development.

1.2 Intended Audience

This document is intended for the following audiences:
 Technical reviewers, who must evaluate the quality of this document.
 Developers including:
o Architects, whose overall architecture design must meet the requirements specified in this
document.
o Designers, whose design must meet the requirements specified in this document.
o Developers, whose software must implement the requirements specified in this document.
o Quality Assurance personnel, whose test cases must validate the requirements specified in this
document.

1.3 Acronyms and Abbreviations

Acronym / Abbreviation Meaning
RDMS Relational Database Management System
DBA Database Administrator

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1.4 Key Personnel

Identify the roles/personnel that may be needed to gather additional information.
Role Name Email Address Phone Number
DBA Robert Rogers [email protected] 999-999-9999

1.5 Data Owners

Identify the name and types of data of personnel who are responsible for data quality and
accuracy of that data.
Type of Data Name Email Address Phone Number

2 Assumptions, Constraints and Dependencies

2.1 Assumptions
Describe any assumptions that influence the database design.

2.2 Constraints
Describe any constraints or limitations that have an impact on the database design.

2.3 Dependencies
Describe any dependencies that have an impact on the database design such as related
hardware or software or operating systems.

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3 System Overview

Describe the system or application for which this database will be designed. This serves as the
high level starting point by which architects and developers can commence their efforts.

3.1 Database Management System Configuration

Identify the vendor, version and targeted hardware for the database management system.
Highlight any restrictions on the initialization and use of the DBMS.

Vendor Product Version Restrictions

3.2 Database Software Utilities

Identify any utility software that will be used to support or maintain the database.
Vendor Product Function

3.3 Support Software

Identify any support software directly related to the database, including the name, version and
function performed by that software. Examples include query languages, report writers, etc.
Vendor Product Function

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4 Architecture

4.1 Hardware Architecture

Provide a brief overview of the hardware architecture with supporting diagrams (flow charts,
schemas, sub-schemas, etc.) that will illustrate how components are connected. Provide
illustration of hardware configurations on which the database will reside.

4.2 Software Architecture

List the components within the subsystem / application. Provide component diagrams to
illustrate connections within the application and external systems, including components,
datastores and interfaces within the application as well as interfaces between internal
components and external systems.

4.3 Datastores
Identify and describe all datastores including databases, file systems and media datastores.

5 Database-Wide Design Decisions

This section documents decisions about the database behavioral design as to how it will behave form a
user’s viewpoint in meeting its requirements, ignoring internal implementation, and other decisions
affecting the design of the database.

5.1 Interfaces
Identify the decisions regarding queries or other inputs the database will accept and outputs
(displays, reports, messages, responses, etc.) it will produce, including interfaces with other
systems and users.

5.2 Key Factors Influencing Design

Identify those key functional and non-functional requirements that influenced the design.

5.3 Behavior
Discuss decisions on behavior in response to each input or query including actions, response
times, and other performance characteristics, selected equations, algorithms, rules, disposition,
and handling of unallowed inputs.

5.4 DBMS Platform

Discuss decisions on the platform to be used (including the name and version and release), and
type of flexibility to be built into the database for adapting to changing requirements.

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5.5 Security and Availability

Identify any integrity and access controls that apply to database components such as the
schema, sub-schemas, partitions or physical files, records or tables, sets or relations, and data
elements. In addition, define classifications of users and their general access rights.

5.6 Distribution
Discuss decisions on distribution of the database (e.g., client/server), master database file
updates and maintenance, including and maintaining consistency, establishing / re-establishing
synchronization, enforcing integrity and any business rules.

5.7 Backup and Restore Operations

Discuss decisions on backup and restoration including data and process distribution
strategies, permissible actions during backup and restoration, and special considerations for
new or non-standard technologies such as video and sound.

5.8 Maintenance
Discuss decisions on repacking, sorting, indexing, synchronization, and consistency including
automated disk management and space reclamation considerations, optimizing strategies and
considerations, storage and size considerations, population of the database, and capture of
legacy data, if necessary.

5.9 Performance and Availability Decisions

Discuss how performance and availability requirements will be met.

6 Database Administrative Functions

6.1 Responsibility
Identify the organizations and personnel responsible for the database administration functions:
database administrator, system administrator, and security administrator.
Role Name Responsibility Email Address
Database
Administrator
System
Administrator
Security
Administrator

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6.2 Database Identification

Identify the labels by which the database will be identified.
Element Element Name Description
db_name Database name The name the database was given when
originally created.
db_path Database path The full path to where the database is stored on
the system.
db_location Database Location The location of the database in relation to the
application.
db_storage_path Database Path The full path of a location that is used by the
database for placing automatic storage tables.

6.3 Application / Systems Using the Database

Identify the applications / systems that will use the database, including the full system
identification and model, version number, and system code.
System ID Model Version # System Code

6.4 Relationship to Other Databases

List any other databases with which this database will interface or supersede.
This Database Supersedes This Database Interfaces with the Database

6.5 Schema Information

Describe the overall structure of the schema and other global definition of the database.

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6.6 Schema Description

Describe the schema and each sub-schema including name, file type, data description
language, access control keys, concurrence locking, data name mapping, overall partition/file
limitations and controls, redefinitions and access path restrictions.
Script Description

6.7 Physical Design

Incorporate a diagram illustrating the physical design of the database.

6.8 Physical Structure

Incorporate a diagram illustrating the physical structure (i.e., partitions, files, indexes, pointers)
of the database.

6.9 Entity Mapping

Identify the mapping rules and list tables and columns that either do not originate from a single
entry or are not implemented.

6.10 Mapping Rules

Identify rules for mapping entries to tables.

6.11 Operational Implications

Describe operational implications of data transfer, refresh and update scenarios and expected
windows, including security implications.

6.12 Data Transfer Requirements

Describe data transfer requirements to and from the software, including data content, format,
sequence, volume/frequency, and any conversion issues.

6.13 Data Formats

Describe the formats of both the sending and receiving systems, including the data item names,
codes, or abbreviations that are to be interchanged, as well as any units of measure/conversion
issues.

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6.14 Business Rules

Describe the business rules modeled in the data model, specified for entries in the data model
or in the functional specifications that have not been implemented as table/column.
Business Rule Implemented

6.15 Storage
Provide sizing formulas for determining the storage required to support the database, including
estimates of the internal and peripheral storage requirements.

6.16 Backup and Recovery

Describe the desired strategies and scheduling for periodic backups of the data. Explain how
data schemas and support files will be recreated or recovered in the event of a system disaster.

7 Detailed Database Design

Describe the design of the DBMS files associated with the database, and any non-DBMS files
pertinent to the database design. You may want to, depending on the design, to include
references about Logical Data Models (LDM), LDM Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERD), Physical
Data Models (PDM), and a comprehensive Data Dictionary showing datastores, data element
names, types, length, source, constraints, validation rules, etc.

7.1 Data Software Objects and Resultant Data Structures

For each functional data object, specify the data structure(s) which will be used to store and
process the data. Describe any data structures that are a major part of the system, including
major data structures that are passed between components. List all database objects including
stored procedures, functions and function parameters. For file structures and their locations.
Explain how data may be structured in the selected DBMS, if applicable. For networks, detail
the specific distribution of data.
Provide the detailed description of any non-DBMS files (e.g., property files) that are required for
DBMS functioning or maintenance and are not already addressed in the SDD. Include a
narrative description of the usage of each file that identifies if the file is used for input, output,
or both, and if the file is a temporary file. Also provide an indication of which modules read and
write the file (refer to the Data Dictionary). As appropriate, include file structure information.

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7.2 Database Management System Files

Provide an appropriate level of detailed design of the DBMS files, based on the DBMS chosen.
Describe support performance objectives. Include the following information, as appropriate
(refer to the Data Dictionary):
 Physical description of the DBMS schemas, sub-schemas, records, sets, tables, storage
page sizes, etc. A PDM ERD should be included in an appendix.
 Objects created to support access methods (e.g., indexed, via set, sequential, random
access, sorted pointer array, etc.)
 Distribution, partitioning, or other compartmentalization of the data to support design.

8 Reporting Requirements

Describe any reporting requirements.

9 Appendix

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